Corset clasp



May 11, 1937. H. c. USHER ET AL CORSET CLASP Filed April 16, 1936 2 Shets-Sheet l cur WW w W May M, 1937. H. c. USHER ET AL CORSET CLASP Filed April 16, 1956 2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 m w Wi 5h 6 o m 2m J h WITNESSES Patented May 11,1937

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORSET CLASP of Connecticut Application April 18, 1938, Scrlal No. 74,669

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a combined structure of corset and clasp, and also to an improved clasp, an object being to provide a construction wherein a desirable lacing hook may be formed and positioned on the corset body so as to be in or substantially in the circumferential zone of the corset body.

Another object of the invention is to provide clasps for corsets wherein hook portions are formed to present a guiding structure for guiding lacers when applying the same.

Another object is to provide a hook or clasp structure for corsets which is adapted to freely receive a lacer but prevent accidental removal thereof.

A further object, more specifically, is to provide for corsets stiffening steels having hooks thereon formed and positioned to act substantially as continuations of the corset body when inoperative position.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig, l is a front elevation with certain parts shown open of a. corset and clasp embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional .view through Fig. 1 on line 2--2, the same being on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to the righthand part of Fig. 2, except that it shows only the front edge portion of the corset with a clasp or hook embodying the invention associated therewith;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a steel and clasp or hook structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the upper part of the corset shown in Fig. 1 with a pair of lacers shown partly in laced position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, I indicates the corset body having front portions 2 and 3 which are separated as the corset body I is of the wraparound type. This type of corset is commonly known as a front laced corset because the lacings are at the front. The invention could be applied to this type of corset or corsets having openings at other places. The invention contemplates the provision of a series of hooks of a special construction and the arrangement of these hooks in the same plane and adjacent the edge portions 2 and 3 so that when the lacers 4 and 5 are placed in position the lacers and the hooks will all be in the same circumferential zone as the front portions 2 and 3. This is of advantage in that it prevents protuberances which will rub against outer garments or which make objectionable bulges in outer garments. In addition, this arrangement produces a more direct pull on the front portions 2 and 3 for drawing these portions toward each other during the lacing operation. J

As shown in the drawings, there are two series of hooks and these are made right and left, but otherwise they are of identical construction so that the description of one series, shown particularly in Fig. 4, will apply to both series. Referring particularly to this figure, it will be seen that there is provided a member 6 which is commonly known as a steel and which may be made from the metal known as steel or may be These clasps or hooks are all formed identical as shown in Fig. 4, and are the same as shown at the right in Fig. 6, except the latter hooks are made reverse- As shown in Fig. 4, there are provided a number of apertures 8 and 9, there being two apertures for each clasp I. Each clasp is provided with a body l0 which is preferably flat metal, as for instance a desirable grade of steel. Body In is provided with a'palr of bendable spurs H and H which are adapted to be inserted through the apertures 8 and 9 and then clinched as shown particularly in Fig. 4. This firmly secures the clasp or hook I to the steel 6. It will be evident, however, that other securing means may be provided without departing from the spirit of the invention, as for instance rivets of any desired kind. The body ID, as shown particularly in Fig. 5, is offset at l3, said offset being preferably equal to the thickness of the body. From the offset portion l3 the body merges into the hook extension l4 looped at I 5 to form a hook portion. The book portion I5 is provided with a downwardly bent portion l6 which merges into an arc-shaped portion I! having the lower end l8 pointed substantially toward the extension l4.

When the hook portion I5 is formed it is chamfered at It! so as to expose a portion 20 of the extension l4 whereby as the lacers 4 and 5 are applied they may be first laid on the portion 20 and then given a pull, whereupon they will slip beneath end II and past depression It to the 'end of the hook portion. The depression I6 is intended to in a certain sense pinch the lacer so as to prevent its accidental removal. It will 5 therefore be seen that the depression l6 squeezes or pinches somewhat the lacer as it is inserted and will act in a limited sense as an abutment for preventing the removal, although the lacer may be readily pulled out past the depression I6.

10 In applying the body I and positioning the extension ll, the body ll fits flatwise against one surface of the steel 8, but the extension I 4 extends at a slight angle from the surface of memher 6. This is in order to keep the entire hook end consisting of members It and ii in the same plane as the front portions 2 and 3. After the lacers 4 and 5 have been applied, it will be observed that the lacers and all the hooks are between the respective edges of the portions 2 and 3, and as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 are arranged so that the hooks and lacers are wholly between the planes of the inner and outer faces of portions 2 and 3. While this is the desirable and important structure, it will also be evident that the specific structure of hook could be used elsewhere and in other locations. Regardless of the place where the hooks are used, they will function to hold the lacers against accidental removal and will provide for substantially a direct pull edgewise'against the steel 6. It will also be noted that when the garment is in use the arch-shaped portion of the hook I! prevents any outer garment from rubbing against the point of the hook and thereby wear through the outer garment.

We claim:

1. A hook for receiving acorset lacer comprising a rectangular body longer than it is wide formed with a. hook end offset in one direction and then bent back into a hook in the opposite direction, the bent back portion being longer than it is wide and at one end being chamfered on one edge to expose a part of the unbent end so that a lacer may be placed on the exposed portion of the unbent.end ready to be forced be neath the bent back portion, said bent back portion having a transversely extending depending part projecting toward said oflset end.

2. A hook for corsets adapted to receive lacers comprising a rectangular body having a flat end and an offset end, said offset end being formed with a bottom member and a top member offset in an opposite direction to the offset end, said members forming a hook with the bight of the hook in line with said flat end, said top member extending from the outer end of the bottom member near said flat end, said top member being formed with a dent extending transversely for the full width of the hook and projecting toward said bottom member and a corner cut away for exposing part of said bottom member where-' by a lacer may be readily placed against said bottom member and then moved beneath said top member.

HARRY C. USHER JOSEPH J. KISPERT. 

